BYK Additives and Instruments Focuses on Greenability
The main focuses for BYK Additives and Instruments at Booth #1000 are nanotechnology and environmentally sound additives related to the company’s “Greenability” campaign. Coatings manufacturers are seeing the trend in the industry to have paints with lower VOC content that go beyond the regulatory requirements. As a result, more reliable VOC measurements are needed. The current EPA Method 24 shows limitations, as it measures VOC via indirect method. Many manufacturers are requiring additional VOC information for raw materials used in coatings. BYK also supports the new direct method of measuring volatiles, such as the ASTM D6886, Determination of Individual Volatile Organic Compounds in Air-Dry Coatings by Gas Chromatography.
BYK is introducing several new products at the show. BYK-1710 is an emission-free defoamer/air release additive according to German and French directives. A healthy indoor environment requires environmentally friendly systems that are safe to use and guarantee zero emissions and odor. The legislative authorities in many countries are following these demands and setting up new directives and initiatives such as the German AgBB and the French “Le Grenelle Environnement“ that will reduce the maximum permissible values for VOCs in coatings, and respectively in the final environment. Modern coatings with new binder technologies have new requirements that cannot be fulfilled with standard products.